Has anybody had a dog in a non-ground-floor-flat?

[30sthngLondon]

Just that really... Are they happy? Is it a nightmare?

My flat is first floor, terraced house. I have a back garden (currently a big mess of brambles but a space that I can work on) but it's down a side passage that's padlocked (I can open it).

I've wanted a dog for years. Had family dogs, will be having dogs not children... Am ready for hard work of dog-owning. We've bought our first flat and won't be able to afford to move for a good few (5 min) years because we won't get another mortgage because of job change.

Has anybody toilet trained a puppy in a flat? Is it a nightmare? What about getting an older rescue? Are they happy?

It's making me a bit sad to think that I might not be able to have a dog for 5 years, but equally every time I think about the logistics it seems a bit crazy...

I’ve never had a particularly barky dog - in a flat or a house.

I’ve had one that barked a few times when the door went, that’s my barkiest ever tbh.

I mean I have had ones that arrived with separation anxiety that would bark if they were alone - but I don’t leave them to bark, so...

Out of the nine flats in the block I live in three have dogs, it only takes something simple like the postman delivering to one flat & that dog barking for the other ones to start & it sounds like Battersea dogs home. Two out of the three flats leave their dogs at home alone all day, anyone using the stairs or the main door banging starts them off again.

I may be concerned about a larger breed in a flat without lifts if their back / hips go as they get older stairs can be a problem.

I know from experience carrying a full-sized poorly GSD up and down stairs is bloody hard work, great for the workout though!

I have a 9 year old greyhound in a 1st floor flat / maisonette with a back garden. The stairs were a problem for her first few days here - it's not her 30kg that made it challenging but her length makes her awkward to pick up. But no problems now. As she gets older I might need a harness with a handle to go down but will probably have to carry her up again if her joints are problematic. It wouldn't be feasible with a heavier dog though.